Page 17 of Beth: A Regency Romance Novell

“He will know of these stairs. Where can we hide?”

“This leads to the tower steps. He’ll come after us though, and we can’t lock ourselves inside the tower.”

Beth followed the maid up the winding stairs. “but we shall have to hide somewhere. He has had a lot to drink and must eventually grow tired.”

“I doubt it. ’Is lordship plans to marry ye this morn.”

Beth froze on the step. “Marry me?”

“Me and the gardener, Johnson, are to be witnesses,” Lilly called back.

“But surely the vicar won’t agree to that. I’ll tell him…”

“’e’s not from our parish,” Lilly said with disgust. “Another rascal he be.”

“But still… he can’t marry me against my wishes,” Beth said, catching her breath. Her legs felt leaden. Distress and tiredness had begun to take its toll.

“Who’s going to try to stop ’im? ’E’s a baron.”

“I shall have to.” It sounded hollow. Ramsey was strong and could easily overpower her. “We must find somewhere to hide until we can escape, Lilly,” she said desperately.

“Nothing in the tower to ’ide us. We’d be caught there like rabbits in a trap.”

“Then let’s not go there. You have the key to the bedchamber door, don’t you?”

“But if we go out into the passage ’e’ll find us.”

“Not if we’re quick. He’ll be busy on the floors below trying to find me. We can hide in one of the other bedchambers. There might be a cupboard.”

“Never been into any of those rooms,” Lilly said. “What if there ain’t a cupboard?”

“Under a bed then.” Beth bit her lip. “I can’t think of anything else. Can you?”

“No,” Lilly said shortly. “We’ll do it then.”

They emerged through the open panel into the bedchamber. The fire in the grate was almost out, but the embers provided enough light for them to find their way to the door.

Lilly seized the door latch. “It ain’t locked. I found it this way when I ran up from the hall.”

Beth felt a rush of excitement to discover Ramsey had not locked it. He had erred. He was not such an implacable enemy.

In the passage, flames guttered in the wall sconces. Beth drew Lilly along by the hand until they came to another solid oak door. She held her breath as the maid fumbled for the latch. She turned it, and she and Beth darted inside. “There’s no key,” Lilly said after a moment.

When the door shut, they stood in darkness. Beth struggled to breathe in the dense dust-laden air as she stumbled across the carpet to a tall block of shadow against one wall. She ran her hands over smooth wood. “There’s a cupboard here! It’s big enough for us both.” She turned the handle, but couldn’t budge the door. “It’s locked,” she cried in despair.

“Let me see.” Lilly took hold of the handle and pulled hard. It swung open. A strange odor seeped out.

“It was just stuck. There’s something inside, clothes I think, but I can’t see,” Lilly said. “Wait. I’ve got me tinder box and spills in me apron pocket.”

Lilly struck one and held it up.

Huddled inside was a mummified skeleton, a green gown hanging off its frame. It gaped down at them.

Beth fell back, a hand to her mouth stifling a scream. Beside her, Lilly sank to the floor with a frightened moan.

Chapter Six

Frustrated, Marcus rode Zeus along the road. Through the trees the river glinted. The water had risen, threatening to overflow the banks. The rain had eased at least, but the going was slow. There was unseen danger in the deep puddles which could hide treacherous potholes. He could not be far from Ramsey’s house, but he would not risk an injury to his horse. They followed along beside a rambling stone wall, behind which shadowy gardens spoke of rampant neglect.

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